Download Multi Drug Resistant Gram Negative Organisms (MDRO)

Do I have to stay in hospital?
No. Any isolation precautions are to prevent cross infection to
another patient at particular risk of contracting the same bug.
What happens when I go home?
If you go home before treatment for your infection is complete
you may be asked to complete a course of antibiotics. At home
no precautions are required as these organisms are not harmful
to healthy people. If you are readmitted or seen by healthcare
staff it is helpful to mention that you have been colonised though
this will be in your notes.
Multi Drug Resistant Gram
Negative Organisms
(MDRO)
Including Extended Spectrum
Beta Lactamase (ESBL)
This information is also available on request in other formats by
phoning 01387 241627.
Information for patients, carers and relatives
Produced by ICT (2012)
What is MDRO?
MDRO stands for Multi Drug Resistant Gram Negative
Organisms.
People who are in hospital or who are already ill are more at risk
from MDRO infection because their immune systems are
weakened by illness, surgery, medication and procedures.
Multi Drug Resistant Gram Negative Organisms have been
increasing in recent years due to the ability of certain organisms
to destroy certain commonly used antibiotics.
In most cases, healthy people will not be affected by ESBL
producing organisms.
Treatment of MDRO
ESBL stands for Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase.
It is an enzyme which is produced by some bacteria when they
break down antibiotics. These bacteria will be resistant to
certain antibiotics which can make infection difficult to treat.
Your Doctor will prescribe an antibiotic which is suitable for you.
What effect does MDRO have?
Some people carry these organisms within their bowel (gut)
without becoming ill. This is called colonisation.
The infection from MDRO bacteria may be in urine, a wound or
in the blood.
The symptoms are usually the same as any other infection in
these parts of the body i.e. fever, shivering, pain on passing
urine, pus in wound, confusion in some people.
How does MDRO spread?
Organism’s e.g. E coli can become ESBL producing following
previous antibiotic treatments so you, or you relative, may not
have been passed the organism by another person.
However, MDRO organisms can be spread from person to
person by direct contact e.g. on the hands of patients or staff.
They can also be passed indirectly e.g. from equipment which
may not have been cleaned or via hands and into the mouth on
food.
As these bacteria are resistant to some, but not all, antibiotics,
your Doctor will prescribe an antibiotic which will be active
against your infection.
You, or your relative, may be moved to a single room within the
hospital for your treatment. This is to prevent the infection being
spread to others who may have to share equipment e.g. toilet.
Prevention of MDRO
♦ Good hand washing is essential to prevent the spread of
MDRO.
♦ You, your visitors and any staff involved in your care
should always wash their hands and clean any
equipment they use.
♦ Staff will also wear gloves and aprons when providing
care for you. (Visitors do not need to wear gloves and
aprons unless they are involved in patient care).
♦ Good personal hygiene is essential.
♦ Visitors should always wash their hands and/or use the
alcohol rub before and after visiting.
♦ Visitors must not sit on the patient’s bed.
♦ Any laundry should be sent home and washed as soon
as possible.